Nicolas Roeg’s adaptation of the 1950’s book by James Vance Marshall is a tricky film; it certainly feels very 1970, which is a good thing. Edward Bond fashioned a 16 page script from the original text, allowing Roeg to do his fragmentary thing and explode the narrative via ingenious editing, off-beat digressions and a weird apocalyptic feel. And yes, in the UK, watching this Roeg movie was somehow part of many kids childhood; despite a AA certificate, Walkabout was not only a tv perennial but also widely shown on VHS in classrooms, despite nudity from pretty much the whole cast and graphic violence to human and animals alike.
No names are required for this kind of pre-Deliverance parable. A businessman is driven to suicide by the madness of the world, and decides to take his kids with him; the Girl (Jenny Agutter) and the Boy (Luc Roeg, the director’s son) have to make their own way home through the outback desert. They are assisted by a teenage Aborigine (David Gulpilil) who shows them how to avoid the stark sunshine, find water and kill animals; it’s a coming of age story for all three, or so it seems until a misunderstanding leads to an untimely death…
Seen in 2022’s HD, Walkabout is as stunning to look at as ever, with Roeg acting as his own cameraman and snapping remarkable images of the seething metropolis, and capturing the harsh beauty of the outback by contrast. The BBFC decided that there was nothing sexual about the nudity, a generous interpretation given how sexual a film as a whole is. It’s fortunate that Walkabout was given a free pass as ‘art’, but trigger warnings should be attached; the camera seems to seek out Agutter’s form constantly, and often with specific intent of showing how the boy views her.
Roeg’s early films are his best; his return to the same ideas in the later Castaway doesn’t have the same impact. But Walkabout is still a unique film that pulls together the nihilism of Zabriskie Point and Easy Rider, and then fashions an atavistic adventure that was somehow throught to be perfect fodder for British kids, who generally got more than they bargained for when approaching this rather revolutionary text.
Saw this when it came out and was pretty knocked out. I don’t think there had been a British director since Lean with a skill capturing authentic scenery. Was amazed that Agutter at that age – she was only a couple of years older than me – could deliver such a stunning performance.
It really stands up, and probably hasn’t looked as good since 1971; HD really pops the photo-realistic scenery. 1080p+ treatment should be mandatory on all streams…
Unless somebody is buying me Blu-Ray for Xmas I’ll be seeing it old style but I was impressed enough first time around. I must have seen it since but that first showing sticks in my mind because the film was so unusual.
I had a sheltered childhood it seems. Never saw this.
It’s mental. Free if you have Prime.
I’m a bit old for it now though. The BFI included it in their ’50 films you should see by the age of 14′ and I’m way past that!
But you have the sunny outlook of a teenager! It’s weird how this is widely seen as a kids movie, ir’s trippy AF.
I’ll have a look at it.
is the correct answer.
Hope Tom isn’t too busy.
He’s got quite a paper round to sort first, but should be with you before Emmerdale comes on.
Fine, I’ll get the glasses washed.
Get a nice tablecloth out, I think there’s one on the dresser that’s not got too many stains from last week. Some ice poles as well if Londis have their freezer working again.
The tablecloth is clean, just needs ironing. Londis have a working freezer but I have no idea what an ice pole is. It’s ok though, we have a fridge that dispenses ice cubes when it’s in a good mood and ice shards when it’s in a bad one, either way, the whisky will be cold.
Do you have fruit pastille ice lollies, you get a pack of four for two quid? Tom is keen on them, although salted caramel magnums will do if there’s nothing else.
Magnums we do have!
Great, I’ll let him know.
Where’s Crocodile Dundee when you need him?
Is the correct answer.
Such a simple parable and yet it still works. The murderous father at the beginning I always find a bit shocking.
It’s pretty shocking for a class of 11 and 12 year olds, who generally haven’t got their full taste for these things up and running at that point. I guess it follows on from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s child-catcher…
It’s part of a coming of age to realize that your parents secretly want to kill you. And vice versa.
I do remember the child-catcher messing me up as a young ‘un.
It’s a shock they first time they load the burlap sack with heavy stones and chuck you in the river. Things never the same after that.